Police identify dead husband as Blairstown woman's killer

BLAIRSTOWN -- State police have identified Julie Matte's husband, Edward Aghahowa, as the man believed to have killed her before killing himself following a domestic dispute at their home on Cherry Tree Lane early Wednesday morning.

State Police spokesman Trooper Lawrence Peele said a motive for the killing has not yet been identified but the investigation is ongoing.

Matte was found dead with several gunshot wounds to her torso in the couple's home at about 1:02 a.m. Wednesday by New Jersey State Police, Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke previously said.

Aghahowa, 55, was found at 9:25 a.m. Wednesday near the Johnsonburg Presbyterian Center campground located on County Route 519 in Frelinghuysen, suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, which resulted in his death.

There was no history of domestic violence at the residence, according to Burke.

Peele said state police have received multiple reports the couple were married and a Sept. 22 post on Matte's public Facebook page said: "It's officially 21yrs together and 15 of them married. Amazing, just amazing."

Her Facebook also included a "1 YearAgo" memory post from Sept. 22, 2015 that read: "We have spent 20 years together but today we get to celebrate having spent 14 of those years married to one another. I must have done something right to be this fortunate. I am so very grateful. I love him so very much."

Matte was an independent consultant for Nikken International Inc., a holistic wellness company, according to her Linked In profile.

On her website, she notes, "My husband and I were struggling with our health; exhaustion, lack of energy, tick borne illnesses, migraines and the list continues ..."

She notes that they began using the products, and "The difference in our lives has living in our ‘Wellness Home' has been dramatic -- our sleeping patterns have changed completely. We now sleep through the night and wake fully rested and alert. (No more snooze button for me!) Our energy levels so much higher and recovery times from activities have decreased. The water makes us amazing. I have not had to take any prescriptions to deal with migraines because I have not had one.

"Friends have mentioned that we look better (must be all that quality sleep!) or maybe it's just the huge smile shining from within now that we know we have found the answer to better health and our retirement plan!"

Born and raised in Quebec and Ontario, Canada, according to her website, Matte also had served as the president of the Newton chapter of the Holistic Chamber of Commerce.

The NEPA (Northeast Pennsylvania) Holistic Chamber of Commerrce, noted on its Facebook page: "We lost a wonderful member of our NEPA HCC family. Julie Matte had served as the Newton NJ, Chapter President. She was also an amazing women whose spirit lifted anyone who came in contact with her. She is loved and will be missed."

According to a Facebook post by the Greater Blairstown Business Association, Matte was a member of the group and known for her energy, good humor and kindness.

"The Greater Blairstown Business Association wishes to offer our condolences to the family and friends of Julie Matte... She will be missed," the message read.

Aghahowa was the president of Stix Productions, a video company in Chester that specialized in wedding videos that also did some real estate film work. Several videos posted on Vimeo by the company are of Matte discussing Nikken products.

A neighbor, who said the pair lived at the home for about 10 years, said both were very nice people.

"She was a very happy person," said the neighbor, who requested her name not be used. "He was a nice guy, too. They were a nice, happy couple."

The neighbor said they didn't have any children.

The troopers had responded to a 911 call of a domestic dispute that was placed by Matte, according to Burke.

Detectives discovered that Matte resided with Aghahowa, and State Police issued a bulletin to area law enforcement to locate him for questioning.

It has yet to be determined if the same gun was used on both Matte and Aghahowa, Peele said.

Peele said the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Frank Robina of the New Jersey State Police Homicide North Unit at 973-785-9412 ext. 4320.